A FIVE-year-old boy was beaten to death by his mother’s boyfriend because he lost his shoe in a park, a court heard.
Marvyn Iheanacho, 39, allegedly battered Alex Malcolm against a park gate, Woolwich Crown Court heard.
A witness overheard the child apologising for losing his shoe as he was killed in Mountsfield Park, Hither Green, southeast London, jurors heard.
Iheanacho then allegedly carried his limp body into the park and rang the boy’s mother, Lilya Breha, to say he had fallen asleep.
Alex lay dying on the park bench in front of pedestrians with Lewisham University Hospital just five minutes walk away.
When the lifeless boy was brought home in a taxi, Iheanacho attacked his partner, Ms Breha to stop her calling an ambulance.
Alex was not taken to hospital until 8.30pm and died of severe head injuries two days later following an unsuccessful surgery.
A post-mortem showed Alex he was covered in bruises from head to toe with cause of death given as bleeding on the brain.
The pathologist identified at least 22 bruises as well as internal bruising of his abdomen.
Iheanacho is now accused of murdering Alex in a trial expected to last three weeks.
He insists the injuries were accidental, Woolwich Crown Court heard.